The Canadian label
Justin Time
can always be counted upon to produce a diverse sounding
Christmas
CD, and this third compilation is no exception. Bassist
Dave Young
is joined by
Cedar Walton
and
Barry Elmes
for a bluesy take of
"The Christmas Song
while pianist
John Stetch
's approach to
"Christmas Time Is Here"
gradually takes a slightly dissonant path, and
Oliver Jones
, who studied piano with
Oscar Peterson
's sister, offers a richly textured
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
One of the wildest songs is
"We Three Kings,"
with some adventurous playing by multi-reed player
Michael Marcus
and the late pianist
Jaki Byard
.
Hugh Ragin
leads three other trumpeters in a stunning arrangement of
"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear."
Highlights among the vocal tracks include
Ranee Lee
's intimate reworking of
"Santa Baby"
with guitarist
Richard Ring
and percussionist
Denis Chiche
;
Johanne Blouin
's relaxed approach to
"God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen"
with a trio led by
John Hicks
; and
Jeri Brown
's lovely, very deliberate duet with pianist
Milton Sealy
of
"The Christmas Song."
The Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir
's unusual interpretation of
"Wohl Mir Dass Ich Jesum Habe"
(taken from
J. S. Bach
's cantata
"Wachet Auf"
) will turn heads, though
blues
guitarist
Bryan Lee
's tedious
"Christmas Blues"
seems badly out of place. Overall, this
collection is a very worthwhile investment. ~ Ken Dryden